Pilot reviews of Henstridge Airfield
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| “ |  Arranged an impromptu visit having contacted them to PPR. Henstridge very much has a flying club atmosphere and is rather different from very many airfields. Consider it to be a club run by members for members and you'll understand the ethos. It's fantastic to see they are in the process of completing their clubhouse with catering facilities (very generous sandwiches); all day breakfasts etc.
At present they are operating a cash system (like I say it's a club) so bring pound coins and change (required for the tea and coffee machine) and the folding stuff for landing fees (just ten quid) and lunch.
We asked very nicely (remember it's more like a club) if we might be able to see some of the aircraft/hangars. This is a airfield known for it's resident Tiger Moths and other exotica (both old and new) and we were treated to a most generous escorted tour of their copious fascinating aircraft.
For GA to thrive, this is very much the sort of airfield we should be visiting and supporting and I'd urge anyone to visit. It's very relaxed and very friendly. Nice wide runway. There appears to be a concrete section part of the way down (which hasn't been coated with a bituminous top). Worry not about it - the condition is fine - it's more of a visual anomaly than something to dwell on.
Very good website & diagrams for noise abatement (basically don't overly the surrounding hamlets).
https://henstridgeairfield.com ” |
| “ | Super place, lots of history. South side 'parking' area really needs some attention though. At the very least a good sweep.
Big issue is the miserable guy who usually mans the radio and picks the phone up. At best, he gives the impression that your doing him a major inconvenience in visiting. Really disappointing to say the least!!
Friend recently called with the intention of bringing a twin in for fuel / oil. When the response was "no oil and we haven't dipped the fuel yet (it was 1100)" , he went further but a slightly friendlier approach , which wasn't difficult! ” |
| “ | Flew into Henstridge on Saturday September 14. Previous reviewers had warned about the state of the taxiway to visitor parking, so I was prepared, but it is easy to avoid the loose area by taxiing on the grass to the West of this taxiway. The visit is worth it too - there are a lot of improvements under way including a new clubhouse restaurant, toilets and viewing area. It's a very busy airfield on a Saturday with lots to see from Microlights to the Yakovlevs Display team, Tiger Moth, several RVs and Pitts, controlled very well by a A/G operator who has obviously seen and heard it all. Recommend a visit for the surrounding countryside alone, but with no landing fee on a Saturday, definitely worth a try. ” |
| “ | I flew into Henstridge on 16th February 2017. It's located in glorious countryside but oh dear - the website warns that taxi surfaces are poor and subject to F.O.D and they are not exaggerating. The hard taxiway next to the cafe is dreadful, all loose chippings and not fit for use. If you go, I strongly suggest you use the grass for parking if you value your prop. ” |
| “ |  Visited Henstridge (EGHS) from Netherthorpe (EGNF) in G-ROLY a C172 on 13/04/2016.
This was after reading a review by Andy on his blog (see https://adhawkins.wordpress.com/2016/02/28/currency-check-but-with-some-real-flying/#comment-855 )
The flight was around 1 hour 40 minutes, routing south through East Midlands zone before turning south west. The weather was rather nice, one of the best so far this year.
We had arranged PPR prior to departing and it was made clear we needed to follow local noise abatement procedures, which we did.
The airfield was fairly easy to spot from the north approach and we completed a standard overhead join at 1800ft on the QFE for a left hand runway 25 landing.
It was a weekday so we were not expecting food however we were offered some and opted for some bacon sandwiches, most kind of the staff. After an hour or so we asked for fuel and was told we could taxi across for it. Worth noting that you then have to back to the office to pay so if you have someone else with you it might be worth them staying and you phoning them to tell them the amount rather than moving the aircraft all the back again.
All in all a friendly airfield, not as flashy as the Compton Abbas which is nearby but just as friendly. ” |
| “ | Flew into Henstridge today "The Henstridge Fly In"....a few a/c made the effort glad we did from Elstree in N66MS Turbo Arrow the welcome was so friendly and happy.....great no landing fee!!!!
Fantastic hearty breakfast had by all !!!
Landed on rwy 07 but wind was 180* at 10/15 knots....made for a faster app than normal....landed on the "dummy rwy" section of the main rwy with a bit of a bump.....no arrester belts deployed !!!! Rwy a bit sorry looking and the rwy numbers really could do with re-painting....urgently....otherwide nice airfield. ” |
| “ | Flew into Henstridge from Blackpool, (and outbound to Perranporth) on Tuesday 8 July. The conditions were very showery and the runway had some standing water, but no problem at all - the runway was perfectly ok. Refuelled by the very helpful duty A/G operator and then taxied over to the parking area which, as previous contributors have mentioned, has a lot of loose stones. However, as I flew in a chap to quote for resurfacing, maybe this won't be a problem for long. The café was closed, (only open on weekends I understand), but tea, coffee, cans, crisps, chocolate or ice-cream were available. Service and reception were very friendly. The café does look a little weary on the outside, but inside it was very nice and clean, as were the loos. It seems that a lot of work is going on at present and I counted 14 hangars, (all looking very new), with another under construction. All in all, a very nice destination where the owners are putting a lot of effort into making this a viable business for the long-term. ” |
| “ | Flew in on 03.08.2013. Really helpful AG service, both with a pre-flight telephone briefing and on approach. (Don't forget to pick up a copy of the noise abatement map in the clubhouse - it is worth keeping for the next visit). Finding the airfield was not too easy on a dull day but once you know what to look for it isn't that difficult. No problems with the runway, taxy instructions nor parking - precise instructions from AG. Very friendly welcome. Clubhouse / cafe is in need of a lot of TLC but it is more than adequate, and clean! Food is basic but tasty and good value.
Compton Abbas is only a short hop away so it would be easy to visit both on the same day. ” |
| “ | It had been 13 years since our last visit, but recent overflights seemed to show that significants improvements had been made with lots of new hangars and taxiways on the north side of the field, promising an airfield doing rather well and with a promising future. Good runway, but the the promised tarmac intersection to the south appeared to be disused and grassed over, not as shown shown on the plates( Pooleys/AFE VFR Guide 2012). A very close in subsequent arrival meant we took a quick exit to the north side to assist in preventing a go-around, but it then explained he was landing on the grass runway to the north of the main and we would be in the way of a possible overun! This grass runway is not on the charts or the airfields website, despite several 'local' aircraft making use of it on the day. Very bad for visiting pilots situational awareness, especially after discovering the runway exits were not as published as well! Safety issue. The club house is dreadful - nothing has improved since we visited in 1999. Very tatty and almost derelict in appearence. The parking area is very poor too with lots of loose stones and it demands some repair work asap. Im not sure that the £9 landing fee is justified with such poor facilities. I think with a new clubhouse and resurfaced parking areas, Henstridge could have a lot of potential, but until then I cannot recommend it as a destination. Despite reading the noise abatement information published on the web and in the club house, which we were flying to the letter, we were 'barked' at on departure to 'turn left - I say again turn left immediately for noise!' This turned us before the 07 threshold and well in advance (1 mile)of the published/planned turn! Perhaps the fact that we had climbed well were higher than perhaps usual, may have resulted in the A/G operator thinking we were further West at the time: either that or he didn't really understand the published procedure. Not recommended. ” |
| “ | Yet another enjoyable visit to this great little airfield, landing fees reasonable at £9, food basic but very substantial and a nice relaxed enviroment. Fuel is around £2/ltr and not the cheapest around, but not the most expensive you will come across.
Be aware of the noise abaitment restruction, but apart from that its very easy to find and a relaxed place to visit and a very warm welcome.
As mentioned in earlier reviews there is loose gravel/stones on area from the Rwy to Parking, so taxi with caution, however A/G will advise you when you land. ” |
| “ | I flew into Henstridge on 23.04.11 for the LAA St.George's Day Fly-In. The LAA marshalls and A/G radio were all very friendly and helpful, the welcome in operations less so. I was also disappointed at the standard of the facilities in the ops/cafe building.
There was no landing fee for people who had registered for the fly-in which was good but I believe that it's normally £9.00 which is reasonable. Fuel and food were also reasonably priced although the quality of the food was no more than average.
Overall it was a very enjoyable day due to the number and variety of aircraft visiting the fly-in but I probably won't be visiting again unless it's for another fly-in. ” |
| “ | First visit this year to Henstridge, it was rather quiet yesterday the only excitement was the Air Ambulance scrambling on an emergency call. The a/g was good and welcoming, runway was also good but the taxyways had a lot of loose stones so slowly does it. The framework has now been erected for the new clubhouse so will visit again later this year, there are a couple of events worth seeing also. Easter sat. is a Stut flyin and August 29th has the vintage aircraft,car and motorcycle show.Landing fee for the Robin was £9.00. ” |
| “ | Visited Henstridge for the first time on Saturday with my Father and Nephew to catch up with an old family friend. Everyone was very friendly and accomodating. Henstridge had a lovely feel to the cafe something that I have felt is lacking from other airfields I have visited in the past year.
The runway is a little bumpy and the club house/cafe is in need of some attention but it's clear that there has been a lot of recent and ongoing investment on the airfield buildings and infrastructure, which I am sure will be reflected in the club house soon.
The weather was a bit gloomy on Saturday so the airfield didn't stand out too well but the briefing I got on the phone helped my locate the airfield easily enough. I hope to go back and visit another time.
” |
| “ | Just to update my first post on Henstridge, I did indeed go back on the 29th Aug. for the Vintage fly in and classic car show. What a great day ! Dozens of a/c from piper cub's to rutan vari eze, even the new Sportscruiser. Loads of classic cars and motorcycles and the weather wasn't too bad either.The atmosphere was very relaxed and friendly and the proceeds went to the Dorset/Somerset air ambulance which was on display and plenty of kids got to go inside.Definately a date for next year. ” |
| “ | Visited Henstridge yesterday for the first time, it's easy to find but be aware of the noise abatement areas locally, they are clearly shown on their website.
It is a small operation but very friendly, make your own hot drinks for 50p, sandwiches available during the week and hot food weekends.The runway is 750m tarmac and good but watch out for loose stones when taxying off the runway.I noticed there is a fly-in there on the 29.08.09 should be good if the great british summer plays ball.Although limited facilities I will definately go again, landing fee was £9.00 for a pa28d. ” |
| “ | A nice friendly airfield. Been in a couple of times, sampled the fare, and expect to return.
Reasonable landing fee with a great small airfield ambiance ” |
| “ | Had the misfortune to have an undercarriage fold on me last Saturday at Henstridge. The assistance, and hospitality displayed to myself by the operators, local pilots and engineer, was extremely welcoming friendly and supportive, and the ensuing hearty breakfast fit for a 'trucker', ensured all my woes were forgotten (temporarily).
What a friendly place, no snobbery. Well worth a visit for the grub. ” |
| “ | Nice airfield. Recently re-surfaced runway is in good condition although taxiways do suffer from loose gravel so taxi with care.
Airfield is very easy to spot. plenty of nise sensitive areas surrounding the arifield to important to check the web site and make a PPR call.
Cheap landing fee and decent food at a good price.
Excellent A/G radio service as well.
Worth a re-visit ” |
| “ | Been to Henstridge 3 times, once to do my RT practical test, great little airfield, basic but very functional, great place to chillout on a warm day. ” |
| “ | An excellent facility, friendly, limited service, but does the job. ” |
| “ | As other pilots have said, Henstridge is small but welcoming. With chickens wandering around, a clubhouse cunningly shaped like an aeroplane (plan view - check it out from above), very precise and helpful air-ground radio, and "little Nelly" autogyros doing hops down the runway the place has charm!
You can also practice your carrier deck landings on the strip of concrete on the runway that was put in when the field belonged to the Fleet Air Arm.
The full English breakfast is highly recommended. Good idea to call before you visit or check the website for the (many) noise sensitive areas. ” |
| “ | landed yesterday in gusty conditions, friendly but one man operation on Monday at least meant limited assistance with a microlight to refuel. Primitive conditions. looks as if the developers are getting at the site. ” |
| “ | Flew into here before Christmas. Small airfield with some large machinery on site which is fairly easy to spot from the air.
May be worth phoning before going as there are quite a few Noise sensitive areas! Got a cup of coffee and choc bar, helpful chap behind the counter! ” |
| “ | We visited Henstridge last year - it was very quiet but welcoming. We just stopped for tea and a bite.
We will visit again. ” |
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